There are a number of possible reasons why a child may reluctant to write or have a poor writing speed. Over the last seven weeks we have looked at a number of these:

• Having the right writing tool
• Hand swapping
• Letter and word spacing
• Too much or not enough pressure
• Visual and Motor Memory issues
• Spatial Awareness and eye tracking issues
• Copying from the board

Other key areas to look at we have also cover are:

• Sitting correctly and why they may find this difficult.
• The importance of learning to position and tilt the paper appropriately.
• Pencil grip – is the grip appropriate for their age and ability and when to support them.
• Having the writing hand under the writing line.
• Learning to write their letter correctly.

Tips for a Child who Actively Avoids, or is Reluctant, to do Writing or Drawing Activities

• Best tip – Don’t force them, the more you push the more reluctant they will become.
• Assess their physical ability.
• If weaknesses are found play the games that will build the appropriate muscles groups.
• Develop directional skills and shape formation through activities that don’t require a pencil so that they are still developing their motor memory skills which will help them later on when they do start to draw and write.
• When ready, try timed drawing and writing activities after your child has had a good run around or physical activity (but not when they are tired).
• Set up a good writing environment where they are sitting comfortably and without distractions, such as the TV.
• Correct poor posture and keep the activity short. One minute of happy drawing is better than no minutes.
• Try a ‘Playtime Drawing /Writing Session’ (see below).
• End the sessions with a fun activity or treat.
• This will take time, patience and encouragement, each improvement, no matter how small, needs to be recognised and positively praised.
• Remember as your child’s skills develop so does their confidence to try, and their self-esteem, as they succeed where once they felt they failed.

How to Organise a Playtime Drawing/Writing Session

• When ready, try timed drawing or writing activities after your child has had a good run around or other physical activity (but not when they are tired).
• Set up a good writing environment where they are sitting comfortably and without distraction, such as having the TV on.
• Correct poor posture and keep the activity short – up to 5 minutes initially. However, one minute of happy drawing/writing is better than no minutes.
• After the drawing/writing play a non-drawing activity or game with your child. Make this break between 3 and 5 minutes long, ensuring your child knows when it will end (use a timer so they can see when they will need to stop)
• Return to the original drawing/writing activity for up to another 5 minutes.
• End the sessions with a fun activity or treat.

Tips on Running the Session

• Start with 2 drawing/writing activities and then slowly increase the drawing/writing time and/or the number of activities and reduce the playtime slot times.
• You could try to do a couple of these kind of sessions at different times during the day.
• It may take time for your child to be comfortable with the sessions. You need to show a lot of patience and encouragement, each improvement no matter how small needs to be recognised and positively praised.
• Remember as your child’s skills develop so does their confidence to try and their self-esteem grows as they succeed where once they felt they failed.